Wallaby fightback fails in poor opener

THE All Blacks continued their dominance of the Bledisloe Cup as they saw off a spirited Wallabies side at Eden Park in the opening game of the competition.

- BEN JAYCOCK

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND: McKenzie 6, Reece 7 (Jordie Barrett 63, 5), Leinert-Brown 6, Havili 8, Reiko Ioane 7, Mo’unga 7 (Beauden Barrett 66, 5), Smith 8 (Weber 72, 5), Bower 6 (Tu’inkuafe 54, 6), Taylor 7 (Taukei’aho 63, 6), Laulala 6 (Ta’avao 60, 6), Retallick 7 (Tuipulotu 66, 5), Whitelock 6, Akira Ioane 6 (Jacobson 68, 6), Papalii 7, Savea 7

AUSTRALIA: Banks 7, Petaia 6 (Hodge 71, 5), Ikitau 5, Paisami 6 (Toomua 66, 5), Kellaway 7, Lolesio 5, McDermott 5 (Gordon 71, 5), Slipper 4 (Bell 60, 5), Paenga-Amosa 4 (Uelese 71, 6), Alaalatoa 5 (Tupou 53, 5), Swain 5 (Philip 66, 5), SalakaiaLotto 5, Valentini 6, Hopper 7, Wilson 6 (McReight 60, 5)

REFEREE: Paul Williams

ATTENDANCE: 48,672 Starman David Havili - New Zealand

New Zealand has won the series 18 years in a row and there weren’t many signs of a change on Saturday as the home side ran out comfortable winners, until a late revival from the visitors.

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock said: “We had the game under control and then our discipline allowed them back in. We have to take accountability for that.